Iowa Schools to Receive $60 Million for New Technology

Zelle Hofmann Partner Richard Hagstrom and Roxanne Conlin of Roxanne Conlin & Associates, P.C., co-lead counsel for the plaintiffs in the Iowa Microsoft antitrust lawsuit, announced that Iowa public schools will receive more than $60 million in vouchers to be used to purchase new computer hardware and software.  The funds are part of a $179.95 million settlement in a class action suit against Microsoft Corporation alleging that the company overcharged Iowa consumers and businesses for certain Microsoft products. 

Under terms of the 2007 court-approved settlement, consumers, businesses and Iowa state and local governments that purchased certain Microsoft software for use in Iowa were eligible to receive cash or vouchers. Microsoft also agreed to provide one-half of any unclaimed funds under the settlement to Iowa public schools in the form of vouchers.  Over 1,000 Iowa schools are eligible to take part in this portion of the settlement. 

Hagstrom and Conlin issued a statement lauding the school voucher portion of the settlement, noting that the vouchers "will enhance technology in [Iowa] classrooms for many years to come."